Major city · Costa Rica
Esterillos
A quiet beach stop for a day or two between Jacó and Manuel Antonio: surf, walk the dark-sand shore, then move on.
Esterillos is a spread-out beach town 20 min south of Jacó, split into Este and Oeste (also called Bejuco). It's quieter than Jacó, with good surf on the Oeste side and a fishing community near the rocky point. Most travellers use it as a one-night stop or a half-day beach break between the Central Pacific and Manuel Antonio.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CRC
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- avoid May–Nov (rainy season, rough surf)
- Airport
- SJO
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Costa Rica ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Costa Rica's immigration authority (Migración) or a Costa Rican consulate; proof of onward travel is commonly required.
- Costa Rica ↗Rental cars require mandatory local liability insurance, often not included in online quotes: check the full price before booking.
- Costa Rica ↗Do not feed wildlife, including monkeys and coatis; it is illegal and harmful.
- Costa Rica ↗Buy national park tickets (Manuel Antonio, Poás, Irazú and others) online from SINAC before you go; several parks do not sell at the gate and cap daily numbers.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Esterillos911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Esterillos, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.Costa Rica-wide
- SIM or eSIMKölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.Costa Rica-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.Costa Rica-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.Costa Rica-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Costa Rica-wide
- SafetySafe during the day; avoid walking alone on the beach after dark.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.Costa Rica-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidayscheckManuel Antonio closes on Tuesdays (check); Semana Santa Thursday–Friday shuts most businesses.Costa Rica-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSJO Juan Santamaría International (About 1.5 h drive via Route 34; shared shuttles and rental cars available.).
- Getting aroundNo public bus within town; walking or a rental car is best.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee₡1,500–2,500
- BeerBeer (bottle)₡1,500–2,500
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from Jacócheck₡10,000–15,000
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCRC 12,000
- Mid-range bedDouble room (mid-range hotel), a night, per roomCRC 60,000
- High-end bedDouble room (mid-range hotel), a night, per roomCRC 90,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CRC 30,000 · Mid CRC 50,000 · High CRC 80,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SJO Juan Santamaría International (About 1.5 h drive via Route 34; shared shuttles and rental cars available.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: May–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Oct (17 rain days), driest Feb (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Esterillos: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
3 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
No public bus within town; walking or a rental car is best. Taxis from Jacó cost about $20–30 (check).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 20 min
Drive or taxi north on Route 34, about 20 min
Nightlife, restaurants and shopping; easy half-day.
Door to door: 45 min
Drive south on Route 34, about 45 min
National park and beaches; plan a full day.
Door to door: 25 min
Drive north on Route 34, about 25 min
Surf beach with a few hotels and restaurants.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Esterillos Oeste (Bejuco)
More bars, restaurants and surf; Hotel Rancho Coral and vacation rentals.
Esterillos Este
Quieter, fewer services; closer to the estuary.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₡30,000–50,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₡50,000–80,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₡80,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room (mid-range hotel)1 × 1 night × CRC 60,000 | CRC 60,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CRC 50,000 | CRC 100,000 |
| Shared shuttle SJO → Esterillos (one way)2 × CRC 25,000 · check | CRC 50,000 |
| Rental car per day (4×4 recommended)1 × CRC 35,000 · check | CRC 35,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CRC 24,500 |
| Trip total≈ CRC 134,800 per person per day, bed included | CRC 269,500 |
2026 estimate in colones; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Meal at a local soda | ₡4,000–7,000 |
| Beer (bottle) | ₡1,500–2,500 |
| Coffee | ₡1,500–2,500 |
| Taxi from Jacócheck | ₡10,000–15,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Rip currents: swim only where locals do.
- No ATM in town; bring cash from Jacó or Quepos.
- Roads are unpaved in parts; a 4×4 helps in the rainy season.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
EsterillosEsterillos
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- SJO → Esterillos shared shuttle: about $25–35, 1.5 h (check)
- Taxi Esterillos → Jacó: about $20–30 (check)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much? (KWAHN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está la playa? — Where is the beach? (DOHN-deh es-TAH lah PLAH-yah)
Dollars widely accepted; change may be in colones.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Esterillos. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr · avoid May–Nov (rainy season, rough surf) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Esterillos
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